Lithium Carbonate and depression

I was on a maximum of 900 mg's a day and my last dosage was at 300 mg's a day. Lithium was great for me in the winter when my depression is at it's worst. As soon as the weather started changing though, I began gaining weight (water) and had horrible acne. I felt really drugged and was getting depressed from the Lithium. Every time that I would try to go off of it, I would relapse into my cycle (one time mania the next depression). My doctor finally prescribed me Geodon to get off of it and I've been off of Lithium for over a month now. My face has finally cleared up and the weight is coming off. We have decided to try something else this winter for my depression. Be very careful when you try to go off of it and always have a back up plan with your pdoc.

I am up at this moment, because my stomach is hurting from the lithium. I've been on it now for about a year, but my stomach just started hurting at night after about an hour after taking it for about three months now. Is anyone else experiencing this? I read one post above about it, but that's all. There is no vomiting, but just upset stomach. It keeps me awake. I'm on lithium and lamictal, and Topomax. If you experience this, is anyone taking anything for the nausea? Thank you! And everyone hang in there! You're in my prayers! Don't give up!

It does not work it just makes me worst because I took it for depression and bad bad anger it's a very stupid med that's why now i'm taking abilify which is much better lithium just drove me crazier.

My husband is on this for bipolar disorder and I don't know if it's the medication working or the fact that I was about to leave him that made him act more stable...but either way, he's doing a lot better. He's also on paxil for depression. His job requires a lot of physical work and strain, so when he's at home in the evening relaxing or laying down-he's out! In other words, it can make you feel tired and lathargic. I was on this medication before too and it not only made me tired, but I was hungry all the time...not starving, but I just wanted to eat all the time. My advice: get checked regularly because this drug is hard on your liver...or is it your kidneys? One of those:) and exercise because you'll need the energy boost that working out gives a person. Hope this helps.